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Hello Everyone -
Today the team left behind the comforts of our beautiful lodge and have made our way to the mountain towards the start of the climb. Starting shortly before 8am we drove along the rural country side for two hours to reach the Kilimanjaro National Park entrance. Most of the area surrounding Kilimanjaro has been cultivated and primarily used for coffee production and for a variety of other agriculture needs, but there are still some areas that have been untouched and resemble more of a savannah that Tanzania is known for. The base of Kilimanjaro is heavily forested and resembles more of a jungle or cloud forest. Traditionally it has supported a large part of the banana production for this area.
Once we arrived at the gate we had all of our gear weighed and divided into loads for our porters to carry before hitting the trail. Once everything was in order we started our climb slowly making our way up the winding trail. The team hiked for a little over 6 hours to reach our camp for the night. Everyone did great and enjoyed finally getting some much needed exercise.
After settling into camp the team was served a nice warm meal and then headed off to bed for a nice full night of rest.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili crew
On The Map
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
What a nice contrast to the past seven days of climbing a 19,340' mountain. Tired legs got a much needed rest as we drove around Lake Manyara National Park searching out wildlife made famous in National Geographic specials on TV. We were not disappointed.
We rode around in retooled Toyota Land-cruisers made just for game viewing, complete with pop up roofs for looking at critters from above roof top level. These vehicles are the perfect way to access the terrain where we find the animals. Our team was split between two Land-cruisers. Our two drivers/guides, Francis and Godson, proved to be incredible sources of knowledge, having to graduate from a two year university program and do internships before being qualified as a safari guide. Yes, we saw zebras, hippos,wildebeests, Cape buffalo, baboons, monkeys, tons of birds, dik diks, impalas, and I forget what all else. But we also learned such things as the inner workings of termite mounds, the love life of baboons and a myriad of other things. Oh, and the other team got to see a bull elephant from ten yards away!
Now we're settled in at our plush hotel, the Plantation Lodge, where we're being spoiled by some cush living. Tomorrow, the Ngorogoro Crater awaits that should prove to be especially exciting. Ok, that's all for tonight. Dinner is served in ten minutes and I don't want to be late. I haven't had anything less than a superb meal here on Tanzania, and I expect no less tonight.
Lala Salama,
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Everyone was excited for the climb to start, even though we were sitting around the dining table waiting for breakfast and it wasn't yet midnight. The sky was clear and the air a little chilly. Winds were fairly light at camp.
As we climbed up into the darkness we could see we weren't alone in our desire to reach the sky. About 1,000' up the wind started picking up and would not relent. Between the cold and the wind blowing we were experiencing some pretty challenging conditions. 40 mph winds blowing scree and dirt all over our bodies and into our eyes was not fun.
As dawn broke out we took heart in the beauty of the coming morning, though of anything the wind got fiercer. Dust and dirt would just blast your face and eyes.
But, summit we did, marking the midpoint of a long 16 hour day.
Right now we're at 10,000' at our last camp on Kilimanjaro, Mweka Camp.
I've been up for about 24 hours now, so will bid you all goodnight for now.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
On The Map
Thank you Jesus
May God continue to bless and guide you in your accomplishments. May you continue to be blessed in God’s miracles.
Love y’all be safe and enjoy your trip back down.
Love
Tia Becky
Girly
Posted by: Rebeca Woods on 8/6/2018 at 6:27 pm
The clouds were right down on top of us again as we started the day at the Arumeru River Lodge. We were ready to go soon after breakfast and so we set sail at 8:15 in the bus with a collection of duffel bags strapped to the roof.
The hustle and bustle out on the highway was continually interesting to us as a window into Tanzanian life. We studied the crops in the fields, the shops at roadside, the signs and vehicles and the people. This partially compensated for our inability to see Kilimanjaro in the distance. After nearly two hours we reached the busy Machame Gate to the National Park at 6000 feet. After an hour in a chaotic mix of climbers, porters, buses, trucks, monkeys and backpacks, we set out walking with our local guides. John, Eric, Philip and Philbret led us up a path in the thick rainforest. By this point we were in the clouds and things were just barely drizzly enough to justify wearing rain jackets. The trail was a little greasy, but nobody slipped or tripped as we steadily gained elevation. We marveled at the giant camphor trees, decorated with vines and hanging moss. In six hours, we saw a few birds, but no other animals as we transitioned to a different type of forest in the “heather and mooreland zone”. At 10,000 feet we came into camp and were happy to see that our incredible staff had tents in place and all ready for us to move into. We retired to the dining tent for delicious food, some adventure stories and a little bragging about past trips... and of course some scheming as to a plan for the present trip. We look forward to a well-earned rest tonight.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Balloon Camp was the perfect final night in Africa for our team, tranquil and wild in equal measures. There were leopard tracks in the dirt of the driveway this morning. But the big cats stayed away from us in the day. We looked hard for the lions, cheetahs and leopards, scanning every acacia branch and watering hole, but all we saw were beautiful birds and herds. Vultures, eagles, lilac breasted rollers and mongooses, impalas, waterbuck, elan, Zebra, giraffes, elephants, baboons and monkeys. Until we rolled out of the park entrance at 11 AM and reluctantly left Tarangire. Adamson and Makubi piloted the Landcruisers along the dusty, busy two-lane toward Mt. Meru and Arusha. On the outskirts of town, we stopped for a picnic and a perusal of the Cultural Heritage Center. We pulled into our home away from home, the Arumeru River Lodge at 3PM. Showered, repacked and regrouped. We had an early dinner together and chased out to Kilimanjaro Airport as the sun got low. Now we are in 17A and 42K, etc... winging our way to Amsterdam, where we'll split up... but only until the next adventure together. It is too good a team to lose... random reunions in beautiful places are in order.
Thank you for following along.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
As always Dave, enjoy following your wonderful adventures. Hope to see you at the St. B in the future.
Posted by: Bob Iles on 8/13/2017 at 11:38 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, JT Schmitt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 348'
May 19, 2017
The rain fell as we debarked from the plane after touching down at Anchorage International Airport. With three hours before meeting the team Christina, JT and I reviewed paperwork and plans for the trip.
Then, one by one folks started showing up, with everyone gathered well before our 4:30 departure. A good sign of things you come.
We had plenty of time to get to know each other while awaiting our shuttle to Talkeetna and I was struck by the ease of conversation between everyone right from the start.
Having climbed with most everyone already it was fun to catch up with folks. By dinner time the mood was even looser as we enjoyed a nice meal at the West Rib.
Most of the team showed restraint in passing up calls to have 'one' at the world famous Fairview Inn, but for those of us who showed weakness and entered those decadent halls, a proper tradition was upheld. The music wasn't half bad either.
It's now time for some rest as tomorrow promises to be quite busy as we prepare for our flight on to the mountain on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to getting that one step closer to the climb we've all been waiting for for so long.
Goodnight from Talkeetna, elevation 300'.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Posted by: Billy Nugent, Hannah Smith
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Hey, it's Billy checking in from High Camp, Plaza Colera. The whole crew is back down safely, and we are super psyched that we all had the chance to stand on top of Aconcagua today. We're a little beat up, but ultimately no worse for the wear. We'll check in again. We have a long walk down to Base Camp tomorrow, and then the journey continues until we hit the road in Mendoza in several days from now. So a lot of activity coming up, but we'll try to keep you guys posted on our whereabouts.
That's all for now.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
Great news. Looking forward to the details. Stay safe!
Posted by: ROGER COFFEY on 1/30/2017 at 11:55 am
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
The safari gets better and better. Today we were up early -before sunrise- for our visit to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. It was cloudy and cool as we entered the gates and began the drive up to the crater rim. That rim was cloudier and colder still at 9000 ft above sea level. We stopped in to a Masai village where we got to watch (and join in) as the residents performed traditional songs and dances, made fire and showed us into their simple homes (made of sticks, dung and ash). The Masai are just one of Tanzania's many distinct tribes, but they are prominent because they've held on to so many of their own customs and have largely stayed away from modern conveniences. We were impressed that the herdsmen protect themselves, their families and cattle herds with nothing more than spears. We were even more impressed a half hour after leaving the village when we got to see ten big lions down in the crater. Six females and four males, walking wherever they pleased... apparently without any worries or fears. The zebras and wildebeests wandering around them reacted sharply and obviously upon discovering so many kings and queens of the crater in one place. They seemed to be guarding a kill in the shrubs, driving off the odd hyena who came sniffing around. We were amazed at the vastness of the caldera floor and at the size of the herds of zebra, wildebeest, antelope and Cape buffalo that wandered about. Before long, we'd seen four of the "big five" (lion, elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo) and were looking hard for leopards to complete the set. No luck there today, but that didn't phase anyone. We were enchanted with the setting for our picnic lunch, on the edge of a lake full of hippos, with a big bull elephant casually walking through without paying any attention to all of the Land Cruisers and tourists in the designated lunch spot.
The clouds cleared completely by mid-afternoon and things finally warmed up. That made the ride back up to the crater rim all the more memorable as we could then see the entire amazing valley.
We enjoyed an easy evening ride back to the Plantation Lodge. Cocktails out on the veranda were accompanied by lots of show and tell of the excellent pics taken today. Then it was time for a fine buffet dinner and some birthday cake in honor of both Tom and Tim.
The team is excited to move on to Tarrangire National Park tomorrow.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Love hearing about your adventures. What memories you’ll have!
Posted by: Sue Rentschler(Jason's aunt) on 9/1/2016 at 4:53 am
What an amazing day all of you had! A combination of generosity from the tribe and generosity from the wildlife - both contributing to what must be (for all of you) great, memorable moments.
All so well deserved…enjoy, take tons of pictures (can’t wait to see/hear) and know how proud we are of you.
Posted by: Kathy and Denny Meyers (Jason's Mom and Dad) on 8/31/2016 at 3:35 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Christina Dale, Chris Ebeling
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
May 19, 2016 - 2:44 p.m. PDT
One plane is flying up in ten minutes, and with luck, the rest of the team will follow shortly thereafter. Here we go!
The pilot gives us a 30% chance of actually getting to the mountain. I think otherwise. More like a 30% of having to return to Talkeetna, but good to have a sober expectation of our chances.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
To my husband Mike Santoni,
Happy Anniversary my love. Thanks for a wonderful 5 years. Good luck to you and your team!! We all miss you here on sunset rd!
Love,
Alexis
Posted by: Alexis Pappas on 5/21/2016 at 5:55 am
You got this Dawn and team. God speed and safe flying.
Posted by: Tom Salata on 5/20/2016 at 7:56 pm
Posted by: Tyler Reid, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer & Tyler Reid radioed from the crater rim of Mt. Rainier at 7:04 am. Their Four Day Summit Climb Teams were going to start their descent shortly after. Tyler reported nice weather with winds from the SW and a cloud deck at approximately 8,000'. The teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climbers!
Great job everyone!
Posted by: Troy Harrington on 8/25/2015 at 5:46 pm
Congratulation Pete + team…How many Rainier summits now - Gadzillion !...Regards from cornfields of IN amigo…Waltero
Posted by: Waltero Glover on 8/25/2015 at 1:37 am
Wow loved your story telling skills. Can’t wait for the pictures. Blessing on the rest of your adventures and explorations..
Love you tons,
Tia Becky
Girly
Posted by: Rebeca Woods on 8/7/2018 at 3:17 pm
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